Just getting started in drafting my own version of fire dept. software both command, in vehicle, administration etc. Please comment if you have any features that you think might be beneficial. Also I'd like to find a good way to integrate this with GPS, CAD and other Agencies (ie PD or EMS) as well as allowing for PDAs Pocket / Tablet PCs etc.

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In our department, we use Firehouse Software. If you want to base you software of something, look into that. It has scheduling, hydrant placement, training section, equipment organization. And that just scratches the surface. It's insane what that software can do.
another issue is this.. how many VHS training tapes do u have and what cost have u figured to convert them...if they can be... like beta,8 tracks this media will eventually become harder to find a player to view them.. get a few new vcrs in stock for longevity or think about conversion..to dvd...
Hell if you can make the program that will rewire city hall to accept contracts, give raises, provide inscentive pay to volunteers, and any and all equipment we need I'll buy it LOL
Wish I could but I'm more interested in providing near seamless integration between what the man on the pipe knows (and has as far as water air etc) what a rig has what a station /district has and brining that all together both in the day to day operation of a department and during calls.
I'm sorry I was trying to be a little humorous, I understand you are asking a serious question. A complete operations check of every incoming apparatus that can be uploaded with job assignment for the officer to read enroute so it ties up less radio space, and the crew can come off the apparatus ready to begin their task
No I understand about the humor and if I could I'd write some magic grant software too ;)
Not sure if anyone is still following this but I found it on a search because the use of computers to help us in the fire service is something I am interested in. I am a volunteer FF, and I work as a draftsman, designing tanks both storage and pressure vessels. Anyway, I use AutoCAD software by Autodesk, it is an invaluable tool to most people in any field related to engineering in anyway at all. The company offers a program called crisis command 2, its under the governmetn section on their website. Take a look at this, it seems that this software is the foundation for an extremely effective crisis manegement system. It is such an amazing tool, I cant understand why it is not in use at every fire station in america.
I cant quote a price for you on the software, Autodesk likes to convince you to buy something, then tell you how much it costs. Other than the software, there would only be a couple of expenses, one being a laptop, unless your department has one already. The other is the time it takes to gather information and build a database for your local area, you could just stick with the map thats on there already, or you could go so far as to having preplans, location and GPM of all hydrants in your area, location of all utility shut offs etc. etc. One thing I saw that I thought was neat was that with about 3 clicks you could determine how many GPMs you need for a fire of any size, it makes calculations for you base on fire flow calculations. Not that you couldn't guess, I just think its neat when a product can take guess work out of the equation, because it gives us more time to focus on other things. To give an educated guess on a price for this software, AutoCAD costs about $2,000 - $4,000 for an individual, depending on what options you choose. The Crisis Command sofware would have to be significantly cheaper, if I were to guess I'd say between $1,000 and $2,000, throw in a laptop, and thats still cheaper than a set of turnout gear. Also Autodesk sofware is available on an individual computer, or for multiple computers at a significant discount, so for a large city to have one or two computers at each station with this software would be even more cost effective.
Northrup Grumman makes a program called Command Point, we found it far superior to any other software out on the market.
There's a start-up company in Pittsburgh, PA also coming out with software programs for public servants, but I can't remember their name now, dang it! And they actually asked for input from us in developing it!!! Let me do some research and I'll get back to you guys.

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